. She sleeps in her rose wood bed,
under a blanket of velvet red;
old and alone and forgotten,
she dreams of the love she once had.
Once again she recalls his caress
on the curve of her hips
and her breast
as he moved his bow
on the strings of her soul,
playing her sound
'til his passion was spent.
~~~
They traveled the whole world over,
to every city and town;
the maestro, his bow and violin,
bringing each curtain down.
~~~
He died in a cry of sweet refrain,
clutching her strings to his heart;
as he fell to the floor in a final encore,
tearing her world apart.
~~~
So she sleeps in her rose wood bed,
under a blanket of velvet red;
her strings still filled
with the song of her soul,
etched by the maestro
that loved her
so long ago!
~~~~~
Author: Elaine George

(this is a form called Swap Quatrain, where first
line's phrases swap in the last line of each stanza)
In shadows’ veils, at end of night,
sweet Moon removes her modest light
and softly, yet again, exhales -
at end of night, in shadows’ veils.
As she departs, her love’s released
to climb the stairway to the east.
They cannot meet to share their hearts.
Her love’s released as she departs.
She watches him while hid from view,
the way he kisses morning’s dew,
and sees gold rays spill from his rim.
While hid from view, she watches him.
Sad Moon, alone for centuries,
with awe has watched Sun leave, cerise.
while she, afar. . . how cold she’s grown!
For centuries, sad moon alone.
She takes his place so he may rest.
And though forlorn, she’s always dressed
in lace, for Luna has great grace.
So he may rest, she takes his place.
For love of night, for love of day,
she can’t implore him that he sway
from course. To be apart’s their plight.
For love of day, for love of night.

By Andrea Dietrich/ This poem took first place in Shadowpoetry's annual Shadows Ink Contest from 2008. It appears in the Shadows Ink Poetry Chapbook, Series 2, Volume 5. As a result of that win, I received a chapbook deal worth around $300 at that time. (30 free copies with publication over at Shadowpoetry).
Also, I entered it into my second PoetrySoup International Contest since I had joined Soup earlier in the year of 2010. It got an HM with a certificate. Soup no longer has their big Soup contests chosen by their staff. An HM was actually a really nice thing in those days because the contest was a HUGE deal and out of hundreds of members, there were only ten to twenty total winners. 2010 was probably my best year at PoetrySoup, and my win with this poem in July of 2010 was one of the reasons for that. I am forever grateful for the recognition I received from this poem.

I
Will
Kiss you
While you sleep
Lady dressed in white
And melt your cold heart made of ice
Then
You
Will rise
Liquefied
High into the sky
And fall as raindrops from God’s eyes
To
The
Waiting
Buds below
Where now you will grow
With me - in the bloom of a rose
~~~
Author: Elaine George
* Note: This poem is a Personification as well as a triple Fibonacci
Brian Strand's 'Image Contest': First Place
John Heck's '12-in-one' Contest: First Place

I look to the Moon, hanging aloft
Among the clouds so milky soft.
How must it feel, so high above?
So chilled and bleak and void of love.
Collapsed and sunken are his eyes,
Dark and deep as the onyx skies.
As the Moon shies from the sun,
I share no love with anyone.
The Moon is alone, without affection.
In its grim face is my reflection.
Inside my heart, the longing grows,
And rots my soul, a sickly rose.
While I look beyond this cage,
I clench my fists; they shake with rage.
I desperately stare above,
Wishing to fly, free as a dove;
For release from the troubled heart I claim,
To be finally rid of the madness and shame.
Although reprieve is found in song,
To no one does my soul belong.
In music, may the pleas be spoken,
But all in vain; the heart is broken.
The Sphere returns, begins to sigh.
We are not so different, You and I.
So twisted and fractured is the White Stone.
We both have no one; We are both all alone.

I was once a little twig with dreams of being a mighty tree
So people would come from all around just to look at me
As the years started to come and go I fell in love with the wind
I would open myself big and wide swaying to the music of my friend
My rings became many and my bark was as red as red could be
Then the day finally came I was the tallest of the tallest trees
I stood tall and I stood proud and everyone knew my name
As my rings continued recording my destiny to fame
Then the fateful day it came my friend and I had a fight
Looking back I can't recall who was wrong or right
I said, "You are but the wind something people can't even see"
" And I'm the king of them all the tallest of the tallest trees"
That night the wind started to howl she really started to blow
And I the tallest of all the trees learned we reap what we sow
My roots struggled to hold on tight but without a soul around
She who had been my dearest friend knocked me to the ground
The loggers came and cut me up then shipped me away
To my soul that truly was a sad and lonely day
Torn from all I knew and loved wishing I didn't have to feel
I was cut into boards and post down at the local mill
Now I'm back here at home just a few feet away
From where my friend the wind and I used to dance and play
I'm the deck on which you stand I lay below your feet
There is a bench made of me would you care to have a seat
Sometimes in life our roles change just take a look at me
The trick is no matter who are what you are be all you can be
See I was once a little twig who became a mighty tree
And now I'm a redwood deck as proud as proud can be
And of my friend the wind she visits me everyday
So I can thank her once again for helping me find my way

There she stands
Centre stage for all to see
Tall and slender
Precariously she balances.
I reach out for her
Draw her to me
My hand skims her body
Slowly reaching her skirt.
Playful fingers find hidden areas
Delighted her legs spring forth
Displaying the very beauty
Of her delicately adorned skirt.
Gaily she dances around
Dizzily twisting and turning
In the brightness of day shading
She gently tends to my needs.
Personal ballerina takes to toes leaping
Merrily bobbing up and down
As emotional to her performance
Clouds cry a thousand tears for her.
Reaching our destination
Slightly shaken, she leans
Watches me quietly drips
Against the wall.
Reminiscent of the day's fulfillment
We acknowledge one another silently
Restful knowing we shall be
One once more.

I get a glimpse of you
A soft hue of light lavender rising in my dawn
gliding fervently in sun-kissed breeze
An ephemeral beauty enchanting the depths of these caramel eyes
flaunting your gossamer wings in whimsical ballad
sprinkling ethereal dew upon the embers of my heart
And I feel it,a florescent flutter tickling my bare shoulder
a slight inhale of fragrance's breath lingering within my thought
chasing the back of my neck,teasing in wistful wonder
My blushed smile preserves the moment
Of your tender brush across the silk peach of my cheek
Of your fervent kiss fading in evanescent bliss
and unspoiled warmth of ardent touch upon my hair
My heart capture the seconds
till those iridescent wings fly high in sheer splendor
to crimson blossoms which bloom,which sway
which bleed and bend,which wrap their thorns
around my feet,around my hand
So,I would not follow dreams'coloured pastels
So I would not run to you,and I would not find you
by Spring's muddy gardens,in the faraway land.
Contest : ' In the Faraway!!!' sponsored by G.Veneto
Inspired by love and nature
Written by- Charmaine Chircop

I greet you, oh mighty Sun!
You who warm us everyone
You who glow to make things grow
You who melt all ice and snow
You are a most mighty one
For you rule the sky, oh Sun
But my Lover have you seen?
Oh Sun, now where have you been?
Far stronger he is than you
His rays warm me through and through
He knows how to “solar” please
His heat he turns on with ease
At times he warms nice and slow
Until I melt, and I flow
Then sizzles without a care
He drizzles from solar flare
He scorches me with his might
Defies the coming of night
Oh, Sun Prince, can you not see?
My Lover’s Sun King to me?
Oh, Moon, you send out your beams
Enchantress are you of dreams
I have named you, Mistress Moon
For you make each lover swoon
But even YOU can’t compare
With my Love! Try, if you dare!
Like you, he lights up my night
Yet brighter far than YOUR bright
Into nights his magic spills
Brings to body lunar thrills
He makes my wild passion rise
To his pull, my heart complies
Oh, Mistress Moon, do beware
My Lover is much more fair
Oh Stars, be snuffed out in shame
Your twinkle is not the same
As my Lover’s eyes at night
Incandescent is his light!
They gleam down on me in love
When like you, he rides above
They engage as he commands,
my body with “eye” demands
There is not a finer gaze
than his eyes that leave a daze
Oh, Starlight, you weakened are
For his eyes outshine your Star
Oh mighty Wind, well you sigh
For your strength, I do deny
While your gusts can lash and whip
and prowess, a soul can grip,
My Lover’s strength is much more
Than all that you have in store
He brings me down to my knees
By his breath, a lovely breeze
My body you can’t caress
His fury makes me undress
When he moves, I feel the rush
He presses me close, a crush
My tresses and every part,
he commands with galeful art
Oh Wind, you now must subside
For from his touch, who can hide?
Oh mighty Waves, you that pound
that crash with a roaring sound
You crest in a foaming spray
and leave all in disarray
My Lover, breaks over me
In waves of sheer ecstasy
He builds up a mighty roar
Then in tingling crests, I soar
He thrashes with might and pounds
Till in his white foam I’m gowned
When the crest recedes, what bliss,
I’m lulled to sleep by his kiss!
Oh, mighty Waves, this is true
My Love is stronger than you
Oh Powers that Be, beware!
My Lover’s beyond compare!
:) Eileen Manassian :)

Like open arms
These broken gates reach out to me
And lead me to the lonely house
That overlooks the sea
Her door once proud and stately
Now splintered hangs in shame
As she realizes no longer can she
Keep out the wind and rain
I look into her beautiful
Sad and haunted eyes
These windows to her soul
Where alone she waits to die
Her rooms I see before me
Stripped naked raped and bleeding
And somewhere from within them
I hear her softly pleading
She beckons me to enter
I cross her threshold timidly
And suddenly an old familiar feeling
Comes washing over me
The floorboards squeak beneath me
As I move slowly down the hall
Tip-toeing through the paper roses
All withered on her walls
I step into her parlor
With tears falling from my eyes
As precious memories carry me
To the place my heart resides
I see her in her former splendor
Dressed in satin and old lace
Crystal chandeliers reflect the light
And caress her lovely face
French doors open to the fields
Where once I used to play
Make believe in lands of dreams
On sunny summer days
Silky curled beside the hearth
Purring softly as she sleeps
I caress her so tenderly
As my heart falls at her feet
The air is filled with music
As grandma strokes the keys
The aunts and uncles all join in
And sing in harmony
We take our places at the table
Laid out in fine bone china
We bow our heads and thank the Lord
For all the ties that bind us
Grandpa carves the giant turkey
Grandma brings the platters
We fill our plates with food and mirth
And an endless stream of chatter
And when the moon hangs overhead
In a soft and velvet sky
One by one we take our leave
With hugs kisses and goodbye’s.
I love you Grandma
I love you Grandpa
Rings into the night
And once again in my world
Everything is right
I close the door behind me
I say my last farewell
As I hear her take her final breath
In the trill of a whippoorwill
~~~~~
Author: Elaine George
My first entry on Poetrysoup - Feb. 2, 2006

Mountain melt trickles a pure innocence
ever closer to her fluent destiny
with each lingering kiss from the sun
Wooded embankments overflow
the ancient river starts to grow
and faster and faster she
pushes her way downstream
Here is where you'll find me
on the side of the bend
at the base of a mighty oak
arising from a seed
splashes falling all around
quenching my need
my need to be free
pushing me to bloom
Here is where you'll find me
growing if only for you
waiting patiently for your soft touch
hoping your wings might
brush beside me
as you momentarily flutter by
hoping you take
a little peek inside of me
inside the place I carry
the fruits that nourish life
for generations to flourish
and for happiness to thrive
Here is where I'll stand
in the sun and in the night
watching over you
and your glorious flight
swaying with the summer breeze
brightening up the bend
and being true to the ever end

‘Twas on a morn’ in early spring
When I met Rose Marie
In a garden
Where she sat - upon a bench
Beneath a willow tree
Where - with a glance
My heart was stabbed
With pangs of jealousy
For it was - very plain to see
She was - by far - more beautiful than me
She spoke - with colored words - like rainbows
Spun with threads of gold
As she described the man she loved
With all her heart and soul
She told me - of his beauty
Raven hair and eyes of green
And as she talked - he appeared - before me
As in a - living dream
She told me - how she met him
On the Shore of Evermore
There in the fields - above the cliffs
Amid the mist - an ocean roar
She told me how - with their first kiss
He carried her away
As he poured his love - into her soul
There - so high above - that wind-swept bay
With Heaven - but a breath away
Her words - like magic - in that moment
Cast a spell on me
For I too now - had fallen - so deeply - in love
With Cannon Lee
I longed to feel his breath
His lips upon my velvet skin
I longed to quench - the lustful thoughts
That now burned - so deep within
So - when Rose Marie - stood up to leave
And turned her back on me
I dug my thorns into her wrist
And sealed - my evil deed
My jealousy - now turned to poison
Ran quickly through her veins
And as she tried - to pry me loose
I clawed her - once again
"Tainted blood" - is what they say
Stole his love away
And that is how - I came to be here
On these cliffs today.
So tenderly - he holds me now
And finally kisses me
As his tears - fall on my open petals
And trickle - down my leaves
Then - from his lips - there comes a cry
Of such despair - it cracks the sky
“ My darling - my love - my life
Why did you have to die?”
And here so high - above these cliffs
These cliffs of ‘Evermore’
I hear her name - resounding - above the ocean roar
‘Rose Marie’ - ‘Rose Marie’
As he cast me - with a final kiss
Into the raging sea.
~~~
Author: Elaine George
August 29th, 2009

The rushing wonts of action render these happenings unmovable,
These feelings, passionately felt, to dull words ill and strained
She clings, my koala, with chocolate eyes pining for my green
Though each time she lets me go, she leaves me docile and pained
Once before I claimed her; yes, she did not turn away from me
But instead gazed on how the breeze could sway my branches
I wanted my bark to secrete the sweetest tears,
So she would know how eternally I yearn for her glances
For it is she alone, who can consume and digest my poisons
It is she alone—besides the sun—who gives me reason to stand erect

She holds herself above the thorns of bitterness
So sharp and green with envy of her loveliness
As she trembles in the chill of winter’s breath
That stills the beating of her scarlet breast
As her petals fall like drops of blood
Upon the snowy mantle white
As beautiful in death
As she was the rose in life
~~~~~~

Why do I love thee?
Thee! With a heart made of ice
Hiding beneath the face of an angel
Pure and white
Crying those frosty tears
In and effort to convince me
You didn't kill your rival
‘The beautiful vibrant Autumn’
Can I not see – you ask?
Surely it was suicide
Everyone saw her leap to her death
But! I know it was you
For I still see
Your tell-tale frost on her breast
Left When you held her in
A kiss of death
So why! Do I still love thee?
Thee! With a heart of ice
Is it because I know
You were consumed with jealousy
Wanting to be more beautiful
Than she could ever be
In the hopes of pleasing me?
~~~~~
A thrill – a chill runs up my spine
Autumn quickly fading from my mind
As I look at you
A glistening jewel
That simply takes my breath away
SECOND PLACE: Let it snow contest

‘Twas on a morn’ in early spring
When I met Rose Marie
In a garden
Where she sat - upon a bench
Beneath a willow tree
Where - with a glance
My heart was stabbed
With pangs of jealousy
For it was - very plain to see
She was - by far - more beautiful than me
She spoke - with colored words - like rainbows
Spun with threads of gold
As she described the man she loved
With all her heart and soul
She told me - of his beauty
Raven hair and eyes of green
And as she talked - he appeared - before me
As in a - living dream
She told me - how she met him
On the Shore of Evermore
There in the fields - above the cliffs
Amid the mist - an ocean roar
She told me how - with their first kiss
He carried her away
As he poured his love - into her soul
There - so high above - that wind-swept bay
With Heaven - but a breath away
Her words - like magic - in that moment
Cast a spell on me
For I too now - had fallen - so deeply - in love
With Cannon Lee
I longed to feel his breath
His lips upon my velvet skin
I longed to quench - the lustful thoughts
That now burned - so deep within
So - when Rose Marie - stood up to leave
And turned her back on me
I dug my thorns into her wrist
And sealed - my evil deed
My jealousy - now turned to poison
Ran quickly through her veins
And as she tried - to pry me loose
I clawed her - once again
"Tainted blood" - is what they say
Stole his love away
And that is how - I came to be here
On these cliffs today.
So tenderly - he holds me now
And finally kisses me
As his tears - fall on my open petals
And trickle - down my leaves
Then - from his lips - there comes a cry
Of such despair - it cracks the sky
“ My darling - my love - my life
Why did you have to die?”
And here so high - above these cliffs
These cliffs of ‘Evermore’
I hear her name - resounding - above the ocean roar
‘Rose Marie’ - ‘Rose Marie’
As he cast me - with a final kiss
Into the raging sea.
~~~
Author: Elaine Cecelia George, of Canada

I miss you,
like the sky misses the stars.
like the streets when there are no cars.
like a government that has no laws,
like music, when it is on pause.
I miss you,
like the desert misses the rain
like an addict without cocaine,
like a kiss that misses lips
like actors without their scripts.

Kashmir is the innocent beauty of nature
It lifted me above all mire dark and dense.
Kashmir is the divine smile
It gifted me a peace beyond all of my sense.
Kashmir is the sorrow
It showed me a combined pain of poverty, corruption and terrorism.
Kashmir is the beautiful helpless unmarried woman.
Whose neighbors are trying to capture her body not sweet heart.
Kashmir is the paradise on earth without dream...
SANDIP GOSWAMI, INDIA
( THE POEM IS DEDICATED TO EVERY WOMAN IN ALL COMMUNITIES OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND POET ANDREA DIETRICH )

I was as high as the eyes could see
A giant dark cloud of pure misery
I seemed to roll as one with the wind
A giant black wall that had no end
I stripped the land and left it bare
Of the lives I destroyed, I didn’t care
Those who stayed I covered in dust
As their children died I broke their trust
From my hell many families did flee
Left to wander homeless in misery
I changed the word these words are true
Black Sunday brought darkness on you
I didn't see any direct link but just goggle
pictures of the dust bowl and you will see
what i have written for Brian's Contest.
The Dust Bowl - Alexandre Hogue - 1937

AMIDST POUNDS OF FORCE and FURYConscious cold clouds sweeping, killing softly the suns bright,
romancing evocatively with the winds, aghast it blows! Blows!
Gray to black are the skies shadows. Shafts of light longer,
they tantalize in between blows joined clear by a decibel bang!
Frightened golden grains for harvest, helpless! They bend down
and so are the piteous bushes, unashamed, waving their arms
as if crying out for immediate rescue but no one is there...
Drops to dagger liquid sequins fall heavily unto them nonstop.
Amidst pounds of force and fury from the natural forces,
I, glad to be cocooned by the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest.
Wrapped tight to his arms, my heart is soaking with contentment,
his drizzling caresses flood my nerves, I am all giddy inside...
________________________________________________________________
***Picture #2
6:00 pm, November 19, 2015

I tripped and fell in love/
She set my mind on high heels/
I could not walk her voltage love/
I tripped and fell in love/
Malicious care collapsed before her face/
She skydived my soul in questions/
Subsequently/
I tripped and fell in love/
Non liquid love attacked my solid blushes
Infatuation sent my love to the ground
Dimensions in smiles
The concrete surface of my love
I tripped and fell in love
The ground i kissed
She borrowed me her hips
To land on
She's my sponge
Duplicating tons and tons of keys to her heart
I did
She saw my heart
Her tears dimpled my earth
Beats building safety and silent screams
No you hang up kind of warranty
Empty pockets saved by the moon for candle lights
Elbows bruised
Kilimanjaro hips i longed to climb
I tripped and fell in love
Veins escaping blood
Searching for get away context
The bond between grew
Our hugs planted roots
Legs intertwined stinking undividable romance
No perfume can kill our love stench
My master woke up
I tripped and fell in love
This is no love idea
But reality at its own feet
Walking my dreams and longings
This home i build
The joints between my thighs and legs pushed me down
One knee
Sexy imaginations started placing reflecting romantic proposals
In one knee
Awesome beats came in heart beats
Propositions made its way to love streets
Awesome beats came in heart beats
Eliminate rats around the love street
Awesome beats came in heart beats
Less cops safe for us in love Street
The comedy ruled we thought we still kids
My breath urinated joy
Conversations came in multiple smokes
Smiles flew in speed of cats
Time delay enjoyable split seconds
The sky became our mirror
I tripped and fell in love

Standing, searching, anchored
to the bow of this ancient boat
Two by two I see many a pair
but who is out there for me
Resilient rains dampen my day
but my dreams remain dry
and bright
Standing, searching, anchored
building my vessel board by board
day by day
Acts of kindness and love
giving thanks to the Father above
making me stronger, more appealing
being ready for when you climb aboard
when we set sail for the promised land
No longer the seas will be lonely
The moon will guide us
The sun will be there to protect us
The winds will blow us
our sails will be plenty and always full
all our prayers will be answered
because darling I am being built for you

Flapping in the wind
bouncing to and fro
hanging on by a thread
knowing shortly I'll let go
I remember when . . .
that day you brought me home
I was so fresh and new
bright and bold
bounded tight
you'd cinch me up
I'd keep you warm at night
As time went on
I no longer cleaned up well
but still I was your favorite
bringing to you warmness
comfort when you need it
and the scent of your loving home
I know I will never be
the one you fell in love with
and many others will take my place
I will never get the picture out of my head
when you would put me on
that glow upon your face

My music breathes! Sunshine tossed on lakes!
Ripples raw…sensuous….buds open up to flower
Fast and slow….tender…rhythms rush like water
Quick chimes…rustic tendrils….feel my power
I rush upon your skin …I tease in tumult
Belt laments of “love me ” on sandy shores
Sunrise skies…tangerine pink burst in open air
Passion’s cherry lips gasp out forever-mores
I am wide open space…fly with angel wings!
On a rush of wind…hear me taunt and drive you
I fling you on clouds too white and soft to hold you
Bathed in my brilliance….painted crystal blue
I fade in bleeding sunsets…song that softly dies
Remnants linger…particles behind your eyes
Author's note:Für Elise in A minor for solo piano by Ludwig van Beethoven April 27 1810.
Beethoven scholars are not entirely certain who "Elise" was. Theory is that Beethoven
originally titled his work "Für Therese"....Therese being a woman Beethoven intended to
marry in 1810 and was also one of his students. However, she turned down Beethoven's
proposal..It is said that Elise might have been a nickname for Therese….
This is such a beautiful piece of music and has always been one of my favorites
Written for Sir Brian’s Fan fare contest :)

if i wanted to kiss you
would you stand still
if i wanted to be with you
could we both time kill
if i held your hand
would you understand
or carress your cheek
would you be meek
if i whispered in your ear
would you hear
if i look into your eyes
would they lie
and tell me something else
that my heart is saying
if i wanted to love you
with all my heart
would that be smart
if i made you my reason to live
would it be worth everything i give
and if i said i love you
would you hold those words above you
forsaking all others as the preacher said
being mine and to no others lead
then my heart belongs to you
remember, to no other will i be true
with this poem i make this pact
and with my hopes i hope you act
fill in all the love that i lack
and as for doubts
we could fill up the cracks

Love and Pain
Decided to get married
I know it seems strange
For you would have expected
Love and affection to want to tie the knot
After all…they were similar
They socialized in the same set of word families
The artistonyms
Love and passion also wanted
To be forever joined
That everyone condoned and blessed
But, oh, how everyone laughed
At the strange request
Of Love and Pain
To be wed
“What’s wrong with your head?
You two are from different worlds
From antonym slums
You can’t unite
And become one!”
Love held on to Pain
And would not let her go….
He smiled a knowing smile
“There has never been
One of us without the other
We belong…
For only when you truly encounter Love
Will you experience Pain.”
Pain shed a tear
And yet she smiled
“Where Love exists
I hover near…
Have no fear
Our union will produce
Beautiful babies
Love sires Joy
A darling child
Love fathers Peace
And Tranquility, in turn
These are the children we will bear
But do beware
Love can’t survive, without Me
For how would He know
How would He be certain
That he is alive….and well
Were it not for ME!
And so Love and Pain
Were wed
Amongst great fanfare
It was a match made in heaven
For never did they depart
One from another
Love and Pain?
Not so insane
Everyone did testify
That one did not come
Without the other
They were tied together
Inseparable
Nothing could come between them
Except their little babies
The most beautiful mixed babies
That eye shall ever see!
Sweet harmony
Of Love and Pain
Who lived.......companionably ever after!
Eileen Manassian Ghali

I am the ghost of heartaches past
I'm love's dark contrast
That empty seat
Beside you when you eat
The tear stains on your pillow case
I'm that new wrinkle on your face.
I am the gremlin of "What if?"
If you catch my drift
Who's biggest theme
Is to haunt all your dreams
I'm that loud echo in your life
That constant nagging extra strife.
I am that cold spot in your bed
I'm words left unsaid
I'm anger won
I'm promises undone
I'm that thing left to chance
I'm Lady Loneliness.....
Would you care to dance?
Timothy I. Brumley